This Week in Youth Ministry, Dec. 31, 2017 11:00 a.m.

The Power of Release – Preparing for the New Year, Jennifer Gates, Youth and Family Ministry Director

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, if my brother keeps on sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ answered Jesus, ‘but seventy times seven…'” — Matthew 18.21-22 GNTD

During the holiday season, life can become busy and filled with activities as well as new possessions. It is often helpful to take some time to consider what we can let go of to move more easily into the new year. For example, maybe our closets and toy bins could be cleaned out as we donate items to other people. And just as we outgrow clothing or games, we can also outgrow beliefs and ideas. Sometimes, we might even find that we are holding onto possessions and feelings that we don’t even like!

Just as you can fill up a box or bag of items to give away, you can also find a way to give away, or RELEASE thoughts, ideas, beliefs, or feelings that are clogging up your life. Wouldn’t it be nice to enter the new year with a lighter heart?

Today, we will be thinking about the roles of Forgiveness and Release in our lives. We will examine how using both of these can help us move into the new year with a sense of calm, ease and lightheartedness.

Teacher Focus:

Adult Volunteers will share information about forgiveness with our children and teens. Using discussion, and flip charts, adults and youth will think of how we can respond to negative energy we encounter. Volunteers will then assist our children and teens in writing at least one thing they want to release as they move into the coming year.

Learning Objective:

Children and teens will have the opportunity to consider the benefits of forgiveness, how we can each forgive ourselves and others in our lives, and the importance of Power of Release as we move forward in life.

Unity Principles:

Principle #1: There is One Presence and One Power in the universe and in my life – God the Good.

Principle #3: I create my life experience by what I choose to think, believe and feel.

Please feel free to stop by our YM Classrooms on Sunday mornings to learn more about our wonderful children and teens and to see our dedicated YM volunteers in action! Happy New Year from our entire Youth Ministry Team to each of you!